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Messages of hope

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Welcoming People

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Have you ever wondered what it’s like for people who move to a new country?
‘You have to set up life, and you’re doing it in a totally foreign place. You’ve got no concept of what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, where to go for help, and you don’t have the language to be able to actually do that.’ Sarah and Liam share their story as missionaries in another country and how that has shaped their view of being welcoming in Australia.

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Episode Information

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

  • Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting, especially without language skills, cultural knowledge, or support networks.
  • Simple everyday tasks become difficult when you’re a stranger, often leaving people feeling helpless, dependent, and unseen.
  • Living as foreigners helped Sarah and Liam develop deep empathy for migrants and refugees arriving in Australia
  • Being welcoming isn’t about programs or agendas — it starts with presence, friendship, listening, and genuine care.
  • Small actions matter: saying hello, learning a word in someone’s language, showing interest, or offering practical help can make people feel valued and safe.
  • Building cross-cultural friendships takes effort, patience, and persistence, but the rewards are rich and life-giving.

Episode Transcript

A full text transcript of this episode (PDF Format) is available for download using the link below:

Publishing Summary

  • 12 Min.
  • Thursday, 29 January 2026
  • Messages of Hope Podcast

Credits and Copyright

Producer: Emma Strelan

All content in this episode is taken from original recordings produced by Lutheran Media for Messages of Hope.

Copyright © 2026 Lutheran Media / Messages Of Hope. All Rights Reserved.

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Belonging: Finding Community In A New Culture

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I’ll Cry With You: Finding Hope in Kenyan Refugee Camps

Every day, Refugee Aid Worker, Mary Obara, works to support people suffering through unfathomable injustice, uncertainty and displacement. Listen as she shares her story — a story of bringing dignity and hope to refugees in Kenya and Somalia.
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Alone

We may be surrounded by people, but if we don’t feel known by them, it can seem that we don’t even exist. Loneliness often stems from a feeling of not being known. So how can we overcome isolation and restore connection?
Listen

Share

Belonging: Finding Community In A New Culture

Following a big and overwhelming move from Japan to Australia, Rika reflects on how connection with a loving community broke through the loneliness and isolation.
Listen

Share

I’ll Cry With You: Finding Hope in Kenyan Refugee Camps

Every day, Refugee Aid Worker, Mary Obara, works to support people suffering through unfathomable injustice, uncertainty and displacement. Listen as she shares her story — a story of bringing dignity and hope to refugees in Kenya and Somalia.
Listen

Share

Alone

We may be surrounded by people, but if we don’t feel known by them, it can seem that we don’t even exist. Loneliness often stems from a feeling of not being known. So how can we overcome isolation and restore connection?
Listen

Share

Share With Us

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Enjoyed this episode?

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Access Additional Support

If you have found the themes or topics contained within this episode challenging or confronting, we encourage you to reach out to one of the following professional support organisations:

Lifeline

‍13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue

‍1300 22 4636

www.beyondblue.org.au

If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger or may be in a potentially life-threatening situation, please call Emergency Services on 000 (Australia) or 111 (New Zealand).

Messages of Hope is a Christian outreach ministry offering faith-based support and encouragement only. We do not provide professional medical or psychological advice.

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